224.728 Nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry and cooperative arrangements.

(1) Participation.

(a) The division shall participate in the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry. The division may establish relationships or contracts with the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry or other entities designated by the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry to collect and maintain records and process transaction fees or other fees related to licensees under this subchapter. With respect to any form, fee, or other information related to the initial issuance or renewal of a mortgage loan originator license under this subchapter, the division may require that any applicant submit such form, fee, or other information directly to the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry and may authorize the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry to perform any function under this subchapter related to the licensing of mortgage loan originators in this state.

(b) The division may provide to the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry any information relating to an applicant for initial issuance or renewal of a mortgage loan originator license that the division and the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry determine to be relevant to the application or to any mortgage loan originator responsibility administered or conducted through the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry.

(c) The division may rely on the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry to establish any dates relating to application or reporting deadlines for mortgage loan originators, to establish requirements for amending or surrendering mortgage loan originator licenses, or to establish any other requirements applicable to mortgage loan originators licensed under this subchapter to the extent the requirements are a condition of the state's participation in the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry.

(2) Channeling information. To reduce the points of contact that the division may have to maintain, and to facilitate compliance with the requirements under s. 224.725 (2) (c), the division may use the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry as a channeling agent for requesting and distributing information to and from any source so directed by the division, including the federal bureau of investigation, any state or federal department of justice, or any other governmental agency.

(3) Challenge process. The division shall establish a process whereby mortgage loan originators may challenge information maintained by the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry on behalf of the division.

(4) Confidential information.

(a) If any information or material is considered confidential or privileged under federal or state law before it is provided or disclosed to the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry, it shall continue to be confidential or privileged after it is provided or disclosed to, and while maintained by, the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry, except to the extent federal or state law expressly provides otherwise and except as provided in par. (c). Confidential or privileged information or material under this paragraph is not subject to any of the following:

1. Disclosure under any federal or state law governing the disclosure to the public of information held by an officer or an agency of federal or state government.

2. Subpoena or discovery, or admission into evidence, in any private civil action or administrative proceeding, unless the person to whom the information or material pertains waives any right or protection of confidentiality or privilege in the information or material.

(b) Confidential or privileged information or material under par. (a) may be shared with any state or federal regulatory agency having supervisory authority over mortgage lending without losing any right or protection of confidentiality or privilege under federal or state law.

(c) This subsection does not prohibit the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry from providing public access to information or material relating to the employment history of, and publicly adjudicated disciplinary and enforcement actions against, mortgage loan originators.

(5) Cooperative arrangements. The division may enter into cooperative, coordinating, or information-sharing arrangements or agreements with other governmental agencies or with associations representing other governmental agencies, including the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators.

History: 2009 a. 2.